COMMUNITY 2023/24 THEATRE SEASON
PRODUCTION PRESENTING SPONSOR:
A Canadian Premier
by Peter quilter
Tel: 604.859.3137 Fax: 604.852.4436
#301 - 2955 Gladwin Road, Abbotsford, BC V2T 5T4
A Canadian Premier
by Peter quilter PRODUCTION PRESENTING SPONSOR:
JAN 26 & 27, 31 – FEB 3 & FEB 7 – 10, 2024 @ 7:30 PM MATINEES: JAN 27, FEB 3 & 10 @ 2:00 PM Time & Place: Modern day, winter, the British countryside. Running Time: Approximately 2.5 hours with one, twenty-minute intermission.
FEATURING Patrick John Dawson
Judith Patricia Braun
ARTISTIC TEAM Director Shelley Picard
Props Designer Reed Seale
Sound Designer Sarah Green
Stage Manager Michelle Potts
Costume Designer Shannon Tauber
Hair & Make-Up Designer Shannon Tauber
Set Designer Andrew Potts
Lighting Designer Nigel Brooke
Dialect Coach Ruth MacKenzie
Land Acknowledgement Gallery 7 Theatre’s mandate is to share stories that explore the relational, social, and spiritual aspects of the human experience with a vision towards hope, reconciliation, and redemption. In that spirit, we’d like to acknowledge we carry on our artistic endeavors on the traditional and unceded territory of the Sto:Lo people, Sema:th First Nation and Mathxwi First Nation and we are thankful for this opportunity. May there be healing and peace as we seek to build a stronger, respectful, and more unified community together.
Refreshments and snacks available at our concession stand. You’re welcome to bring these items back to your seats to enjoy during the performance. Please place a lid on coffee cups and open cans & packaging prior to the performance. Thanks for your help in keeping the theatre venue clean and tidy!
PLEASE turn CELL PHONES and ELECTRONIC DEVICES off before showtime • Please remain seated during the performance • Please save the discussion and talking until intermission • The videotaping or making of electronic or other audio and/
or visual recordings of this production and distributing recordings or streams in any medium, including the internet, is strictly prohibited.
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• Children under 3 unfortunately cannot be admitted
into the theatre. • Out of respect for your fellow audience members, please
refrain from wearing strong fragrances while at the theatre. We acknowledge the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia
“...city-quality comedy talent in the ‘burbs.” - The Georgia Straight
“I am very grateful to Communitas for all the support I have received.” – Dave, SIL services alumni
Read Dave’s incredible story today and see how Communitas’ mental health services changed his life. Your gift this Christmas supports Communitas’ mental health services.
Communitascare.com/donate or call Sarah at 604.996.7042
Greetings from the Artistic Director Happy New Year from all of us at Gallery 7 Theatre and welcome to our first show of the new year, Snowbound, a heart-warming comedy by Peter Quilter. Quilter’s hilarious play about two opposites finding community in a lonely world was written in 2020, a time of great upheaval and uncertainty as COVID wreaked havoc on the world. The play celebrates the importance of social interaction and connection, and examines, albeit in a tongue in cheek way, how people act and interact in stressful situations. It also subconsciously raises some intriguing questions about consent in a modern age and puts that age-old introvert vs. extrovert debate centre stage. Whether the play answers these questions or not, I’ll let you decide. One thing is for sure, though, I think you’ll have a grand time watching as these two colourful characters (yes, I think both are quite colourful in their own unique way) seek some kind of understanding, and above all, connection. Our production marks the Canadian premier of Snowbound, meaning we are the first production company anywhere in Canada to produce Quilter’s play, and it’s truly an honour. It’s also
a testimony to our commitment to finding the most compelling, most entertaining, and most artistically pleasing plays to share with our audiences, something we take quite seriously here at Gallery 7 Theatre. May your hearts be moved, your minds intrigued, and your spirits lifted. I would like to take this opportunity to personally thank all of you who have made donations to the theatre, both as part of our annual Christmas campaign or at some other point in the year. We are truly inspired and humbled by people’s generosity and your commitment to ensuring we continue producing quality theatre here in our community. Donations go to help curb the everincreasing costs of producing plays and keep the organization surviving and thriving. Thank you for the incredible affirmation of our work! If you haven’t yet, but would like to, visit www. gallery7theatre.com or scan the QR code below my signature to make a donation today. Enjoy Snowbound. Curtain up! Ken Hildebrandt Executive/Artistic Director
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Director’s Notes Stop for just a moment and think back to March 20, 2020. You may have been working at your job, you may have been at school or you may have been travelling in a foreign land. Suddenly the world stood still . . . and there it stayed for over a year. COVID blanketed the world and resulted in people everywhere being bound to home. Non-essential businesses closed – some for a full year. Essential businesses still functioned but not without specific rules regarding social distancing and the wearing of medical grade masks. Some of us had families to interact with but many were totally alone, cut off, crying out for social contact because we are social beings. But it could not be done. Isolation brought separation and a need for some kind of contact. Playwright Peter Quilter has captured the essence of that feeling from the pandemic and placed it in the middle of a raging snowstorm in a quiet little hamlet in Great Britain. Two people, completely isolated due to a public notice to stay in the home and not go out into the storm, meet and are now compelled to make the best of a very bad situation. As different as night and day, Patrick & Judith are placed on the road to discovery, whether they want to or not. I love this story because I am certain that we all know people like Patrick and Judith. People who are either loved for their consistency or their spontaneity. You might even see yourself in one of these characters and appreciate the different
approach they take to deal with the stress of their days. In the end, we see them walking a long road, discovering new things about themselves and the world around them. About each other. About life itself. Now, you and I are out of the pandemic and life runs a little more smoothly. As you look back on the experience, what did you learn about yourself? How did you manage? Do you see the importance of the way you live any differently than you did before? Can we learn and grow from experiences like a pandemic . . . or being ‘snowbound’? Remember this quote from Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr: “A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimension.” I hope your experience is stretched as you are invited into Patrick’s home and are made witnesses to our characters’ journey. Shelley Picard Director January, 2024
WHO’S WHO: CAST & CREW
Patricia Braun
Nigel Brooke
Andrew Potts
John Dawson
Michelle Potts
Patricia Braun (Judith) Patricia is thrilled to be back on the Gallery 7 Theatre boards after a 15-year hiatus. Some of her credits include Shadowlands (G7), Boys Next Door (G7), The Norbals (Surrey Little Theatre), Looking (Surrey Little Theatre), Christmas Belles (Langley Players), Self Help (Langley Players), and Talking With (Langley Players). Thank you, Shelley, for this opportunity and for your patience. Thank you also to Henry and the others who helped me with running all these lines. Nigel Brooke (Lighting Designer) Nigel has designed lights for dozens of productions around the Lower Mainland, including Screwball Comedy, Ghost of a Chance and Cinderella for the Royal Canadian Theatre Company, Holy Mo and Spew Boy and Murder on the Orient Express for Gallery 7 Theatre, Henry V for Stone's Throw Productions / Pacific Theatre, and many more. He also occasionally performs and directs, appearing recently as Sir Rupert in Jeeves Intervenes for Gallery 7 Theatre, and directing As You Like It for Shadows and Dreams. John Dawson (Patrick) John is excited to be back on the Gallery 7 Theatre stage for the first time since Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery in 2022. He is really pleased to be reunited with Patricia (sister) and Shelley (mother) from Lost in Yonkers after 17 years! Huge thanks to Michelle
Sarah Green
Reed Seale
Shelley Picard
Shannon Tauber
for keeping our small crew on track and to the whole creative team that made the show come to life. Special thanks to my brother Patrick for insights into Patrick and to Angelika for her constant support. Sarah Green (Sound Designer) Sarah is an avid designer, actor, and director, having been involved in a multitude of G7 productions since their inception. She performed in two recent productions playing the Countess in Murder on the Orient Express, and Fledge(Horse)/Detective/ Mother in The Magician’s Nephew. Two years ago, she directed a short work for the Harrison Arts Festival titled Doll Cargo as well as a compilation piece performed live for the G7 Abby Theatre Fest. Last year, she directed the wildly popular Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberly as well as taking on costume design for the same period production. Sarah holds a Diploma in Theatre Arts and Adult Education from UFV, with special studies in Audio Drama/Theatre. She is delighted to be the sound designer for Snowbound and hopes the ambient noise, music, and special sound effects will add an immersive element to the audience experience. Shelley Picard (Director) Shelley has appeared many times with Gallery 7 Theatre over the last 20ish years, including The Hobbit, Steel Magnolias, Lost In Yonkers and last year’s Murder on the Orient
Express to name a handful. She is also an author of her soon to be published book, Broken, as well as a playwright (Fresh Harvest, A Saviour in Eden, Slow Dancing, A New Normal), all done in her spare time. Shelley has immensely enjoyed working with the cast to bring this lively yet touching story to you.
(G7), ASM credits include The Magician's Nephew, A Wrinkle in Time and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (G7). Michelle loves watching Broadway musicals and doing palette knife painting. Michelle thanks her family for their support.
Andrew Potts (Set Designer/Construction Manager) Andrew has built sets for 30 different plays since 2017. He enjoys scenic design and carpentry and hopes to continue learning and devoting many of his working hours to Gallery 7 Theatre and other theatres. Between sets, he works as a handyman. Recent designs include A Tale of Two Cities (G7), Jeeves Intervenes (G7), and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat (VTT). He hopes you enjoy being “snowbound” together in this place with all these wonderful people.
Reed Seale (Props Designer) Reed is excited to work on his first show with Gallery 7 Theatre and would like to thank the cast and crew for letting him join in the fun. Reed has been involved with theatre in the Fraser Valley since the early 2000s, both on and off the stage. When he's not rummaging around in second hand stores for props, you can find him in the shop or rolling dice and rocking a 12th level elven ranger/cleric.
Michelle Potts (Stage Manager) Michelle has been involved with G7 for 20 years. Her acting credits include King/Lamplighter/Snake, The Little Prince (G7), Clara, The Boys Next Door (G7), dwarf/Goblin General, The Hobbit (G7), evil dwarf, The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe (CBC) and Alexandra, Cell 66 (Bethel). SM credits include A Tale of Two Cities
Shannon Tauber (Costume Designer, Hair & Make-Up Designer) Diploma in Costume Studies from Dalhousie University (2021) and Diploma in Theatre Acting from Douglas College (2016). Previous credits include: Hair and Make-up Design for Christmas at Pemberley and Tale of Two Cities, costume design for Re:Naissance Opera’s world premiere of Sanctuary and Storm, as well as Seamstress for the Canadian Opera Company and Schmigadoon S2.
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SUPPORTER’S GALLERY The community of supporters listed below are heroes of Gallery 7 Theatre. Each individuals has contributed some of their hard-earned cash to help us continue creating entertaining theatre that stirs the heart, challenges the mind, and elevates the soul. Thank you! Every effort has been made to make this list as accurate as possible but if you see an error or omission, please let us know at 604.504.5940 or at info@gallery7theatre.com so we can correct things. Our donors are very important to us! Family Gallery ($1 - $99) Anonymous Judy Becker Peggy Beyak Joan Brooks Kathleen Burchill Heidi Calzavara Paul Chesterman Patti Dahl Joni De Ruyter Grace DeJong Ramandeep Dhanjal Andrew Dick Mirela Djokic Matthias Dressler Angel Duran Suzanne Durnan Douglas Duthie Bill Findlay Donna Flynn Diana Franklin Shirley Funnel Laura Gannon Adriaan Goedbloed Mary Goertzen Dennis Hall Kari Harper HB Mies Heemskerk Joyce Henson Tomoko Heschuk Elsa Huberts Judith Ibbs Clarence Janzen Larry Jurovich Dr R Bruce Kirkley Gabe Kirkley Beverly Klassen Elizabeth and Kelly Klassen Jillian Knuttila Ineke Last Sarah Lelonde Greg Letkeman Sherry and Reinhard Loewen Shane Martin Calvin McCarthy Jan McMaster Wendy McNally
Dorothy MEIer Maria Memije Ian Monro Robert Moore Gillian Morrison Dr. Dayan Muthayan Jackie Neufeld Loree Newman Gary O'Keefe Shane Olson Marion Pearce Debra Rempel Stephen Rhodes Paul Rouleau Glenda Scheer Andrea Schipman T Scott Stuart Sears Raymond Smith Ykje Striker Jamie Tempel Marcelle Togeretz United Way Ontario Jenny Vanderheide Kevin Vanderstoep Paul Varley Julie Visscher Ruth Wiebe Patron’s Gallery ($100 - $249) Gordon & Frances Bates Michael Bergen Helen Braun Tamara Charman Virginia Cooke Maria Denholme Peter and Lora Dijk Gloria Dyck Ian Fenwick Sheila Flavelle Roy Harrison Betty Hildebrandt Stacey Irwin Ardis Janzen Harold & Carolyn Krahn Cheryl Mulder Louise Oppel Christine Redekop
Ron Reed Joy Rousay David Salhstrom Robert and Pamela Schultz David & Marcia Smith Janette Thiessen Luke Timmermans Fran Vanderpol Elizabeth Winn Actor’s Gallery ($250 - $499) Pat Davis Ron Reed James and Margaret Reith Matthew Welsh Director’s Gallery ($500 - $999) Bethany Gasser Ken Hildebrandt Laura Kehler Dorothea McCallum Stephen and Sylvia Stewart Anonymous Producer’s Gallery ($1,000 - $4,999) Doris Darvasi Angelika and John Dawson Rudy and MaryAnna Ouwehand Artistic Director’s Gallery ($5,000 +) Your Name Here You’re invited to join the community of G7 supporters! All donations above $10 will receive a tax-deductible receipt. Make a one-time contribution or set up a monthly donation program. Every contribution, big or small, is a HUGE help to us. Give us a call at 604504-5940 or go to www. gallery7theatre.com to make your donation today!
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Production Team Assistant Stage Manager // Aryan Tuknayat Costume/Hair & Make-Up Assistant // Heather Hamilton Head of Construction // Andrew Potts Assistant Carpenter // Linda Scenic Painters // Charlene Mason, Moira Mason House Managers // Linda Funk, Louise Reimer, Pete VanderMeulen Discussion Guide Editor // Angelika Dawson Program Layout & Design // Justin Keitch, Ignite Creative Production Photography // Dianna Lewis Archive Videographer // Aaron Dawson Promo Videographer // Micah Brandt Gallery 7 Theatre Staff Executive & Artistic Director // Ken Hildebrandt Theatre Administrator // Sara Mayfield Production Manager // Shannon Tauber Production Support // Charlene Crawford Marketing Associate & Webmaster // Gabe Kirkley Bookkeeper // Marion Witoszkin Front of House Coordinator // Sara Mayfield Head of Properties & Company Photographer // Dianna Lewis Graphic Designer // Justin Keitch, Ignite Creative Gallery 7 Theatre Board of Directors Matt Forster // President Alison Chisholm // Secretary Shelley Picard // Vice President Rudy Ouwehand // Treasurer Russel Reitsema, Heather Robertson, and Lando Klassen // Directors at Large
Acknowledgements Gallery 7 Theatre extends a HUGE thank-you to all our volunteers for their hard work, dedication and support. Without them, this theatre would not succeed! We would also like to thank the following for their contribution to this production: Abbotsford International Airshow Society – Sandra Bater & Dave Reith // Ron Ott If you would like to volunteer or contribute to our productions, please contact us at 604-504-5940 or email info@gallery7theatre.com.
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